down rally entries go live on 14 may 2018...

07 May 2018With confirmation that entries for the 2018 Carryduff Forklift Down Rally will open on Monday 14th May we asked a few local competitors what their plans were to gauge interest for this totally revamped event.

Early leader of the McGrady Insurance Northern Ireland Rally Championship Derek McGarrity replied, "Yes, 100%" when asked if he planned to put an entry in. Derek continued, "It sounds like it's basically a new event and because of that there's a lot of interest. Fair play to both clubs for taking it on, I'm looking forward to seeing what they've come up with and it will be great to get some of the MSA Asphalt Championship guys over."

Current Champion Jonny Greer, whose family business will sponsor the event spent the first round of the NI Championship working at the service out time control and wouldn't commit just yet to whether or not he will take part in the July event.

In two wheel drive, Fintan McGrady of McGrady Insurance, and Wesley Patterson have both said they plan to compete on the event, while the ever popular Kyle White and navigator Sean Topping have said they are looking forward to giving the sheep in the County Down countryside a fright when their 208 R2 roars past.

Having also undergone a total revamp for 2018, the Protyre MSA Asphalt Championship new-look series has certainly struck a chord with competitors, with well in excess of 100 Championship registrations received. The top three drivers after round one of the series, Melvyn Evans, Damian Cole and Jason Pritchard are all expected to grace the entry list, and with over 40 registered drivers from the Asphalt series entered in this weekend’s Manx National Rally, and strong interest being shown through the www.downrally.com webpage who knows what new delights this series will bring to our shores.

The Rally will take place on 21 July and will be based at the Eikon Centre close to the City of Lisburn. The Organisers, Rathfriland Motor Club & Ballynahinch & District Motor Club have devised a compact route to include 3 road closed stages which will be repeated 3 times. Competitors will also have the opportunity to wow rally fans on the Spectator Special stage within the confines of the Eikon centre itself.

Clerk of the Course, Andy Gilmore has stressed that entries will be accepted on a first come, first served bases and that a reserve list of twenty crews will be formed if entries exceed the 120 available.

Competitors will be able to enter the Down Rally using the on-line entry system. This can be accessed through the competitors page at www.downrally.com

The Down Rally is Organised & Promoted by Rathfriland Motor Club & Ballynahinch & District Motor Club. Both Clubs are affiliated to the the Association Of Northern Ireland Car Clubs (ANICC) and are registered with the Motorsports UK, the UK Motorsport governing body.